stewartpratt wrote:Haven't ridden the Thorn, no, for one simple reason: Other manufacturers publish their geometry online.
Problem is that I know exactly what geometry I want, and being at the extreme of off-the-peg sizing charts I have little or no room for negotiation on it. So whilst experience does count for more than numbers, Thorn's approach of hiding the geometry and having to order one and build it up to test it out doesn't really make sense for a customer like me.
Here's the full story.
Having just discovered a spiral crack in my Raleigh's headtube and needed new frame,I decided to phone Mercian and ask about their off the peg Audax frames.I was told there wasn't really clearance for anything bigger than 25mm tyres at a pinch and a three week wait with a price tag of £595 inc vat.
Next stop Bob Jackson to ask the same questions to be told what I needed (rather than me tell them what I wanted) in such an off hand manner it bordered on rude I hung up on them.
Having had a Thorn tandem and liked the workmanship and ride,not to mention good service when I ordered stuff for it previously,I rang them about the Mk3.
From the off I was put at ease with the promised 100day guarentee and the price at the time of £299+ £15 potage seemed a good deal too.
I rang them on a Tuesday morning and was getting ready to go out on Wednesday morning as the frame arrived.
It came with a BB fitted,a seatpost,FSA headset fitted,and every threaded bolt hole fitted with the appropriate stainless steel bolt and washer fitted.
I've never looked back or regreted going to either of the other two makers.
I can get along with everyone having their preferences,I've got mine you've got yours and I won't pull apart what I don't know about.